‘JIDE ADEYEMI
This past week, football quietly delivered one of its most powerful leadership and brand strategy lessons—and not where most expected it.
Real Madrid, down 3–0 to Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals, returned to the Bernabéu backed by history, myth, and a full PR rollout around their iconic comeback culture: Ramontanda.
But this time, the moment didn’t arrive.
Arsenal stayed composed. Madrid scored once. Arsenal scored twice. Final aggregate: 5–1 to Arsenal.
Madrid’s promised “comeback” never came. And just like that, a brand built on belief ran into a wall called performance.
Then came Manchester United—with no hype, no noise, and all the odds against them.
After a 2–2 first leg with Lyon, United found themselves down 6–4 on aggregate in extra time. The match looked finished. Until it wasn’t:
⚽ 112’
⚽ 115’
⚽ 119’
Three goals in seven minutes. Final aggregate: 7–6.
A real Ramontanda—unadvertised, unexpected, undeniable.
Leadership & Brand Lessons (with real-world application):
1. Legacy is not a shortcut—performance must match perception.
Real Madrid leaned on its brand equity, assuming past glory would intimidate. But legacy can only open the door. Results must walk through it.
In business: Don’t assume your reputation guarantees future success. Your audience, customers, and market care more about what you deliver today than what you did yesterday.
2. Leadership shows up when things fall apart, not just in the press releases.
While Madrid promoted the possibility of a comeback, United created one in real time.
They responded to adversity with urgency, belief, and execution under pressure.
In teams: True leadership isn’t about motivational posters or slogans. It’s about clarity, courage, and composure under chaos. That’s where cultures are shaped.
3. Great brands don’t lean on stories—they write new ones under pressure.
Ramontanda was never about marketing; it was about mindset. And this week, United lived it—without the fanfare, without the buildup. They didn’t sell the story—they became it.
In branding: The best brands aren’t loud—they’re real. They resonate because they consistently show up. In tough moments, your actions speak louder than your assets.
The Real Reminder:
In business, in sport, in life:
– You can’t fake resilience.
– You can’t package leadership.
– You can’t trademark belief.
– You can only build it, show it, and live it, especially when the lights go dim.
This week, Ramontanda belonged to Manchester United.
Not because they branded it.
But because they embodied it.
Where in your life or career have you faced a setback?
A result that didn’t go your way.
A door that closed.
A season that’s felt like a loss.
You don’t need hype.
You don’t need headlines.
What you need is:
– Resilience – to keep showing up
– Strength – to carry the pressure
– Quality – to perform when it matters
– A Never-Say-Die Spirit – to believe when it’s darkest
You might be in your own extra time right now.
But don’t count yourself out just yet.
Because sometimes, all it takes is 7 minutes of courage to change your story.
Get your Ramontanda on the way. 👊
